Arsenal are expecting Arthur Okonkwo to sign a new long-term deal with the club, after his old one came to an end on Wednesday.

Villarreal CF v Arsenal - UEFA Europa League - Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo warming up before the UEFA Europa League match at Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal. Copyright: Focus Images
Villarreal CF v Arsenal – UEFA Europa League – Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo warming up before the UEFA Europa League match at Estadio de la Ceramica, Villarreal. Copyright: Focus Images

Football.London report that Arsenal expect Arthur Okonkwo to sign a new long-term contract with the club, turning down interest from teams across Europe.

The goalkeeper’s contract ran out on June 30th, but Football.London claim Arsenal sources are ‘highly confident’ he’s heading for an extension.

Mikel Arteta will then consider making Okonkwo third choice for the first team next season, but a loan is also still a possibility.

This update follows comments from Charles Watts on the Arsecast recently, suggesting the deal was heading in the right direction and should be signed.

Okonkwo is highly rated at Arsenal, competing with Karl Hein for the first-choice academy goalkeeper spot and for the third-choice Europa League goalkeeper last season. One of the two of them featured on the bench throughout the knockout stages.

He’s one of five players we’re waiting on an official update for, ahead of the start of pre-season next week. Kido Taylor-Hart, Nathan Butler-Oyedeji, Ovie Ejeheri, and Mazeed Ogungbo are also the subjects of speculation at the moment.

Daily Cannon have been informed to expect an update on Butler-Oyedeji very soon, but there’s no suggestion yet on what it might be.